Speaking to an audience comprising of TERI University students and leading academics including Noble Laureate Dr. RK Pachauri, Chancellor, TERI University and Chairperson, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and Mark Kenber, CEO, The Climate Group, Tulsi Tanti focused on the urgent need to work towards a sustainable energy economy.

Pinpointing the challenges and opportunities India faces, he said: “With our increasing population and drive to bring better living standards to all – the most crucial enabler for India is energy. Each Indian must have access to safe, secure and affordable energy supplies – this is a fundamental right. It is a sad fact that even today approximately 400 million Indians do not have regular access to power.

“However, this is not an insurmountable challenge. With the right policies, investment and public-private partnership models, we can bring energy poverty to an end by 2020. For this to happen we must all – government, industry and citizens – must make a sustainable energy mix an immediate and urgent priority. The tools are already with us, we are blessed with more than enough wind, sun and tides to meet our needs and that of future generations. India is uniquely positioned among developing nations to leapfrog the technology divide and lead the change. As populations grow and with it the need for energy, we have the opportunity to lead the world on to the road to truly sustainable, equitable development.”

He added: “It’s been an honor to speak at the university and I really enjoyed the opportunity to connect to the youth of the country. Their response has been very heartening. They have pledged to live and work in ways which would minimize their carbon footprints.”

Tulsi Tanti also introduced his publication Lets Save the Planet, which was launched at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this year. Developed in association with The Climate Group, Let’s Save the Planet discusses the opportunities for sustainable development through energy efficient and economically profitable business models. The document outlines the severe threat of climate change and offers a solution through innovative energy usage and competitive green solutions.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the global population will increase by 26%, from 6.8 billion in 2009 to 8.6 billion in 2035, with over 90% of the increase happening in non-OECD regions. Those non-OECD countries will deliver a further 70% of the increase in economic growth and up to 90% of energy demand growth.